Herman Cook, born October 2, 1927 to Henry Michael (Koch) and Elizabeth Schelegel Cook, passed away on January 9, 2017. Herman was the last of surviving siblings, six brothers and four sisters.

A Morgan County farmer and rancher his entire life, Herman was a steward of the land and proud of his accomplishments through 89 years of sweat equity.

Herman served as an Army Medic at Fitzsimons Hospital in Denver in 1945. On July 13, 1947, he married Arla Peterson and they began farming in Gary. The family farm south of Brush was purchased in 1950. Herman and Arla started raising Hereford cattle in 1953 and progressed to weaning 600 pound calves. In 2015, Herman and Arla were recognized by the State of Colorado as a Centennial Ranch. The family land used for summer pasture near Gary was purchased by Arla's family in 1915 and the cattle operation still exists today. Herman was recognized as a top ten sugar beet grower and raised corn that produced 200 bushel per acre.

Herman was preceeded in death by Arla in June 2012. He is survived by their six children: Steve and Bettie Cook, Clarksville, TN; Rhonda and Jim Cooper, Loveland, CO; Mike and Sandy Cook, Jeff Cook and Deb Seffron, Jon and Roxanne Cook of Brush, CO; Amy and Stan Radomski, Hillsborough, NJ; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Herman will be remembered for his pride of family, enjoyment of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and everyone's children, hard work ethic, opinionated thoughts, special names for some people, humor and honesty.

Family and friends are invited to a casual gathering to honor Herman's life on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2-5 pm at the Carroll Building Community Center, 415 Edison Street, Brush, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Morgan County 4-H Foundation in care of Heer Mortuary.